Dear friend,
There are many reasons to love this month like amazing sunrises, sunsets, and the increasing birdsong. Even though it’s a leap year, it still remains the shortest month. By 29th February, we will have gained almost a whole extra hour of daylight!
Here in North Wales UK, the weather tends to be milder which brings an influx of emerging flowers, like my favourite Hellebores (see below) and the ever increasing sea of Snowdrops that put on a wonderful show in our woodland.
As our garden matures, and as each year passes, I find myself savouring every golden moment, thinking less about the next season and more on the now… unless, of course, it’s a big event we’re planning! Like the National Garden Scheme where we will be opening our garden once again for charity on the 27th – 28th April from 11am – 4pm. Click here for more information.
This will be the sixth time we have opened our garden to the public, and this year will be the earliest we have ever opened.
April is such a beautiful time of year, and sadly there are few gardens that open in our area at that time. Probably because it’s a bit of a risk, as the weather can be unpredictable, but I’m forever the optimist!
It takes a massive amount of planning to help make things run smoothly. As well as getting the garden looking tidy, we have to get a team of volunteers, consisting of family and friends, to help with parking and ticket sales. Thankfully, our local church will be taking on the homemade teas, and I can vouch they will be delicious!
From now until the Open Day, I will have a big whiteboard filled with all garden jobs, and a notebook with weekly reminders, as well as lists upon lists to help keep me organised!
5 things to do in the garden this month
LEAPING INTO FEBRUARY
If you’re planning on being out in your garden, here’s my latest blog on what we are doing in the garden that might help you this month.
THE GARDEN PRESS EVENT
OUR AFFLIATE PARTNERSHIPS WITH DAVID AUSTIN ROSES, CROCUS & GENUS GARDENWEAR
There’s also a date that’s becoming a fixture in our diary in late February, which is when we break away from the garden and head down to London to the Garden Press Event. It’s a brilliant social event where we get to meet up with some fellow garden media friends and chat with new and well known brands.
This year, we will be head to toe in our Genus garden clothing in support of their wonderful company. If you’re in the garden media field and would like to come along have a look click here.
As a result of attending last year’s event, we are delighted to announce our new affiliate partnership with David Austin Roses. Being a part of this brand, as well as Crocus and Genus garden wear will be a great way for us to share any offers with you, so watch this space!
STAY AT THE LAUNDRY RETREAT ROUNDHOUSES
Latest Offer
February and March are when we most crave a break – a chance to find the joy and beauty in dark clear skies, invigorating mountain walks and snug, cosy retreats.
Our March Offer invites you to linger longer and take full advantage of days close to home and those a little further a field (Snowdonia, Chester etc).
Book 3 nights, get a 15% discount. That’s typically £75 off.
Book 4 nights, get a 25% discount. That’s one night free.
STAR PLANT OF THE MONTH
Helleborus × hybridus
Harvington pink speckled Lenten Rose Hellebore
My spotlight plant for February is the graceful Hellebore, a plant I have come to know and adore since we began planting up the garden here. It was around seven years ago I started to gradually increase the varieties, and will continue to do so as there are so many to choose from like this beauty.